At least 60 individuals lost their lives when an overloaded boat overturned on Tuesday morning in Nigeria’s north-central Niger State, as reported by Al Jazeera. This incident stands as one of the most fatal maritime accidents in the area this year. The boat embarked from Tungan Sule in the Malale district around 11:00 a.m. local time on September 2, 2025, heading toward Dugga on Nigeria’s Kainji reservoir.
The Niger State Emergency Management Agency verified that the accident occurred when the vessel collided with a submerged tree stump near the Gausawa community in the Borgu Local Government Area. Hussaini Isah, an official from Nigeria’s National Emergency Management Agency, stated that the boat was carrying approximately 100 passengers when it struck the tree trunk.
Abdullahi Baba Ara, director general of the Niger State Emergency Management Agency and chair of Borgu Local Government Area, indicated that rescue efforts were ongoing to find missing passengers. Isah mentioned, “The death toll of the boat incident has risen to 60.” Ten individuals were reported in critical condition, while numerous others remained unaccounted for as search operations continued.
Sa’adu Inuwa Muhammad, the district head of Shagumi, who was present at the scene shortly after the tragedy, confirmed that the boat carried over 100 people. In initial reports, Muhammad informed Reuters that 31 bodies were recovered from the river and the boat was successfully salvaged. The majority of the deceased were women and children, with four victims already laid to rest according to Islamic customs.
The Niger State Emergency Management Agency attributed the cause to both overloading and the collision with the submerged tree stump. Officials confirmed that women and children were among those traveling in the vessel headed to Dugga for a condolence visit. The agency reported that 50 individuals had been rescued, though the precise number of missing persons remained uncertain as search and rescue operations proceeded.
This incident is the latest in a sequence of deadly boat accidents that frequently affect Nigeria’s riverine communities, particularly during the rainy season, which runs from March to October, when rivers and lakes are prone to overflow. Maritime safety experts cite inadequate safety enforcement, overcrowding, and poorly maintained vessels as factors contributing to these ongoing disasters in Africa’s most populous nation.
Similar accidents have been reported across Nigerian waterways. In August 2025, over 40 people were reported missing after a boat capsized in Nigeria’s northwestern state of Sokoto, also due to overloading. Another incident in August saw 25 people go missing after a boat overturned in a river in Sokoto state.
Safety analysts note that many boats operating in Nigeria’s remote areas lack appropriate safety equipment, with vessels often running without sufficient life jackets for passengers. The combination of overcrowding, poor vessel maintenance, and inadequate safety measures continues to contribute to the high casualty rates in these maritime accidents.
The Niger State incident occurred on the Kainji Reservoir, a significant water body in north-central Nigeria, serving as a critical transportation route for local communities. The remote location and challenging conditions often complicate rescue efforts, as emergency responders must navigate difficult terrain to reach accident sites.
Local officials emphasized that the investigation into the September 2 accident is ongoing, with authorities working to ascertain the exact circumstances that led to the vessel striking the submerged tree stump. The Niger State Emergency Management Agency continues to coordinate search and rescue operations, providing assistance to survivors and the families of victims.
The high death toll from this single incident underscores the ongoing maritime safety challenges facing Nigeria’s transport infrastructure, particularly in rural areas where water transport serves as a primary means of travel for many communities. The rainy season typically heightens the risks associated with river and lake travel due to elevated water levels and debris in waterways.
